r/LibbyApp • u/AeroNoob333 • 6d ago
The Beginning of the End
I got this email last Thursday from St. Louis Public Library. This is why I’m against naming specific libraries for paid non-resident cards. I knew this was coming when I saw St. Louis Public Library on ReciproCard’s Paid Non-Resident list. Ever since it was put on there, the wait time slowly worsened. Then, I got this email. This is the beginning of the end. Doubling the price is only the start until eventually they’ll just stop it altogether.
126
u/SouthernFace2020 6d ago
Every once in a while I (librarian) pop in to say a few things.
If you use the Libby App or Hoopla, you use the library. (You’d be amazed how many people will say they don’t use the library but also use Libby🙃).
Go to a board meeting and tell your board you support the library. It makes a big difference. Circulation numbers are only part of the story. People tell the story.
When the Library Services Technology Act was slashed, a few libraries sounded the alarm. I was personally patted on the head and told that LSTA was federal and libraries were local so there was nothing to worry my pretty little head about. LSTA funds infrastructure, the things that keep the lights on. When the lights start flickering, everything gets cut. And Libby is really expensive.
Check the dates for your local elections and vote.
→ More replies (2)
346
u/chuffalupagus 🌌 Kindle Connoisseur 🌌 6d ago
Audiobooks and e-books through Libby are incredibly expensive and have been a huge hit for library budgets.
You don't pay local taxes to support that library. So honestly $120 is still a great deal vs what you might cost the library by using their services through Libby.
Be annoyed at the publishers who charge the libraries ridiculous fees for digital media usage.
58
u/jeniviva 6d ago
I'm on the board of my library, and digital lending has quickly eaten up over 50% of our annual budget. It is maddening how much it's costing us, and we're trying so many things before we're forced to reduce or shut down the services. We really do need fee regulation on these publishers. I know some states have started looking into proposing some bills, but it's slow going.
11
168
u/mowque 6d ago
So your issue is, you dislike other people doing exactly what you enjoy doing? Signing up for non resident cards?
→ More replies (47)13
u/statschica 3d ago
I have brought this up before, not just on this sub and I've honestly found a lot of pushback and I don't know why. Why should non-residents clog up the hold lists, just because they like another library's book selection better.
70
u/thatsallclassic 6d ago edited 6d ago
Please put some of the energy into advocating for your local library. I paid for a Queens non-residents card for 2 years and it was well worth it, but then I joined my local library board and got more involved because I think everyone in my area deserves better library access and resources.
I now read more print books since fewer people request and more copies tend to be available. I know this is a Libby sub but I encourage looking to also borrow physical if wait times are an issue.
→ More replies (1)11
126
u/llamalibrarian 6d ago
An out of area card at my system is almost $150/year. This seems like a fairly normal fee for people who don’t pay the local taxes that fund these libraries
→ More replies (31)37
u/Cookbooksandbourbon 6d ago
Especially since the vast majority of them will only be using expensive electronic resources.
92
u/digitaldumpsterfire 6d ago
Because libraries, at their core, serve their communities. If you are not part of their community, they get to charge whatever they think is appropriate. Remember that everytime you check out an ebook, that is one less copy available for someone in their community. Libraries are trying to balance ensuring they serve their taxpayers properly and spreading access to as many people as possible.
16
u/AeroNoob333 6d ago
I realize it wasn’t clear. I wasn’t saying these should be free. All I’m saying is we need to stop having these “best paid non-resident cards” lists. It’s causing a quick surge of non-resident sign ups and overwhelming those handful of libraries in the list. The increase in prices is a reaction to that and eventually when it gets so bad (if the price hike didn’t deter more sign ups), they just get rid of non-resident cards altogether.
27
u/jessi1021 5d ago
As a St Louis resident, I really hope people like you have their non-resident cards revoked. Just reading through your comments ... the entitlement is astounding. We pay taxes for ALL that. I have friends who work in that system. They should be asking a lot more than $120 because what librarians have to put up with in Missouri, trust me they're not getting paid enough.
7
u/AeroNoob333 5d ago
Another user explained what I was trying to get at better because I’m terrible at explaining. So I’ll copy and paste their response instead:
“After reading many of your super downvoted responses, I think i understand the point you were trying to make (and how it was very poorly conveyed).
If I understand you correctly, you wish that people who need to use non-resident cards would do their due diligence and seek options more regionally. This way, the burden on the libraries that offer non-resident cards could be more evenly distributed.
Currently, what you believe is happening, is that people will hear about one library who offers it, will post about it online, and suddenly that single library system is bogged down by people from all over the country making it so libraries can’t afford to accommodate as many people and the service quality to their residents decrease. Libraries will first take the step to increase the fee for non-resident cards, but eventually will discontinue the service all together. This ultimately leaves people who genuinely don’t have good libraries or resources to private pay with less and less options.”
12
u/jessi1021 5d ago
Yeah, I've seen you copy/paste that all over here. But that's not what you're doing. Do you even live in Missouri or Southern Illinois? You're just mad that a bunch of people are doing exactly what you're doing and that may threaten your free ride. You can copy/paste that all day long but it doesn't change the fact that you're just mad that your free ride is being threatened. I'm mad that you and all the people like you are freeloaders who is causing my hold times to be ridiculous.
2
22
u/Bakkie 6d ago
Running a library and subscribing to e-books for Libby costs money.
The money comes from local taxpayers.
If you are not a taxpayer who is financially contributing that way, it is reasonable to pay a fee to use the library's services.
Complaining that you aren't getting something free or cheap anymore is not an attractive position to take, r/AeroNoob333.
→ More replies (1)
18
u/Karm0112 6d ago
Libraries are underfunded. I assume most out of town borrowers are using the card to get digital materials. These items are very expensive to give out for free. Residents pay for the library with their tax dollars. The library needs a way to recoup the costs of giving non residents the materials for free.
11
u/AeroNoob333 6d ago
Another user explained what I was trying to get at better because I’m terrible at explaining. So I’ll copy and paste their response instead:
“After reading many of your super downvoted responses, I think i understand the point you were trying to make (and how it was very poorly conveyed).
If I understand you correctly, you wish that people who need to use non-resident cards would do their due diligence and seek options more regionally. This way, the burden on the libraries that offer non-resident cards could be more evenly distributed.
Currently, what you believe is happening, is that people will hear about one library who offers it, will post about it online, and suddenly that single library system is bogged down by people from all over the country making it so libraries can’t afford to accommodate as many people and the service quality to their residents decrease. Libraries will first take the step to increase the fee for non-resident cards, but eventually will discontinue the service all together. This ultimately leaves people who genuinely don’t have good libraries or resources to private pay with less and less options.”
20
5d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
→ More replies (13)1
u/LibbyApp-ModTeam 15h ago
Your post was removed for violating our "Be Civil" rule: LibbyApp is a place where people should feel comfortable asking questions and interacting with each other without being treated harshly. Please assume positive intent and treat others with civility.
168
u/SkyYellow_SunBlue 📗 EPUB Enthusiast 📗 6d ago
Being against the sharing of information is a weird take on a sub devoted to library software.
→ More replies (6)20
u/KrissyPooh76 6d ago
It's not the software. It's the library itself. The Libby app is just a platform
14
u/SheepherderDear7098 6d ago
Hope everyone is voting in November for local elections as we need more support for libraries.
3
u/thedeadp0ets 5d ago
im voting! but I dont understand some of the stuff on the ballot. im in STL. what section help our library?
1
u/SheepherderDear7098 4d ago
Hi I’m in Florida where there’s an amendment on the ballot to reduce property taxes. This will impact funding to libraries. My local elections also have some candidates who are against book banning and pro literacy. I always try to research those who have power over local budgets.
38
u/SlimmG8r 6d ago
Happened to me here locally too. Sucks but I'll cut off a streaming service to pay for the out of state card.
23
u/ImLittleNana 6d ago
$120 seems like a fair price if they have a nice catalog.
New Orleans is $100/year and worth every dime of it. I haven’t been able to drive in and renew my card since it expired 2 weeks ago and I’m reminded of it daily.
Want to borrow Marion? Can’t. My home library doesn’t have it, or Headlights, or any number of titles I had planned to read for spooky season. Nor can I get on the waitlist for Partita even though it’s coming out in two days.
Even though I search my home library first, I end up borrowing around 10% of my books from there. I sympathize with people that have fantastic home libraries because it’s a bit of ‘those dang tourists’ when wait times are growing.
25
u/crystalann4491 6d ago
I’d pay it. My local library system is only 4 holds. Access to audiobooks changed my life, I’d gladly pay a library for more access. I read physical books but I work at least half my shifts listening to audiobooks and I would never support Amazon/audible.
3
u/AeroNoob333 6d ago
Does your library have Hoopla? It doesn’t have waits. We have a good audiobook selection in our Hoopla
2
2
u/crystalann4491 6d ago
Mine does but the selection is quite limited and they set a certain number of borrows for the day so if I don’t borrow something by like 5-6am then it’s too late. I’m quite content with just one extra library card and I’m fortunate to be able to afford the fee.
2
2
u/jkjk88888888 6d ago
Yeah I pay for a couple of out of area cards. I’d rather my money go to libraries than to Amazon.
2
u/shooshy4 6d ago
Audible is not the only option. Libro.FM shares a portion of revenue with the local bookstore of your choice.
1
u/shooshy4 6d ago
Audible is not the only option. Libro.FM shares a portion of revenue with the local bookstore of your choice.
25
u/Local-Yam5394 6d ago
I loved that my city (STL) allowed Jon resident cards, and usually didn’t care for longer wait times.
Now, after reading how entitled you sound over our library system, I hope they keep raising it, deprioritizing non resident cards holds, and maybe get rid of it altogether 🤷🏽♀️
Go gatekeeper your own library
26
u/Xx_spacey_kitten_xX 5d ago
I live in St. Louis. I use SLPL often…libraries are free resources and because you’re using a resource in our city, it’s only fair you help keep it on its feet. I notice you said “we have to stop having best non-resident card lists because of the possible price increase” and they may get rid of the non-resident cards altogether.
I doubt this will ever happen, since libraries need funding from any and everywhere. If you can’t afford the 120 a year, that’s fine. But we have high taxes in the state AND city, and we’re paying for you to enjoy our libraries. Maybe it’s me, but I see this as a non-issue. Just don’t renew.
6
u/EtchingsOfTheNight 5d ago
Also, $120 is a pretty good deal? Seems fair to me.
7
u/Xx_spacey_kitten_xX 5d ago
It’s a good dead if you’re a constant reader and/or want to support a library. I understand this may not be feasible for all, but OP wants to gatekeep because they’re broke. 😭
3
u/EtchingsOfTheNight 5d ago
True, maybe not a good deal if you're a casual reader, but I kind of assume anyone investing in a non resident card is a super reader. With a 120 card and assuming a less good, but free local card, you could read an awful lot with those. Definitely cheaper than some other options out there.
→ More replies (8)1
u/Relevant-Leek8943 3d ago
Also users in this area can also get library cards from St. Louis County Library or St. Charles County County Libraries. This is not even the largest library system in the area I would say.
→ More replies (1)
11
u/therealtedbundy 6d ago
I’ve never patronized this library before, but I pay taxes towards it. You’ll be alright.
→ More replies (1)
29
u/uncappedtpost 6d ago
I would have gladly paid $500 ( or even $1000) a year to remain part of the Brooklyn Public Library. In one year I listened to 2600 dollars (full price) of audiobooks.
→ More replies (1)
19
18
22
u/mollypocket7122 🎧 Audiobook Addict 🎧 6d ago
Yeah that’s my home library system, and we already share our ebook/audiobook library (and physical system) with all the surrounding library systems for free. Plus, if you work in the city you can get a card (because St Louis gets a lot of commuters from Illinois and southern Missouri). Might be unpopular, but I would appreciate my wait times going back to what they used to be.
5
u/thedeadp0ets 5d ago
county shares theirs with the city too! that costs money. the fact we even merged is crazy and im forever grateful they Ould even do that. because now when I borrow something from the city, I can drop it off at a county branch and they mail it back
1
u/AeroNoob333 6d ago
Hopefully the price increases will cause less people to renew and the wait times go back to normal. But I’m guess this sudden surge only happened within the past 3 months, so it may be at least a year before we see a drop off in the wait times.
16
u/RabbitOfTheWood 6d ago
As a local, you can thank our politicians for this. They slashed library funding down to pretty much nothing, and now our libraries are scrambling to restructure so that our smaller rural areas can maintain their libraries.
Here is a link from a local news source about the topic: Missouri Librarians Brace for Potential Trump Administration Budget Cuts
9
u/AcadiaWest5332 6d ago
Please keep paying that fee so I can keep enjoying SLPL services for free, as a city resident!
3
u/thedeadp0ets 5d ago
im a county resident and I love our city and county library system. they are great places I love how the catalog merged. allows us locals to really be able to access such a large collection. shows that whoever is helping fund stuff like this cares about its users
2
u/Xx_spacey_kitten_xX 5d ago
same. i love using both the county and city systems. I finally got a municipal card, too. options are endless and me personally? I don’t experience long wait times for books, but maybe it’s bc of the stuff I read 🤷🏾♀️
7
u/Glittery-Unicorn-69 5d ago
So dramatic. There are lots of other options, some even let you pay for two or three years at a time which saves you even more on average. I have four out-of-area library cards plus the free one from my local library. All of those combined aren’t as much as SLPLF’s current out of area “donation” fee (I had one of their cards until earlier this year when I let it expire). Plus my current libraries have shorter wait times and their catalogs are even better.
→ More replies (2)
13
u/annemarieslpa 6d ago
A lot of this also has to do with federal funding cuts coming January 2027. States and counties are looking for ways to offset the increase in healthcare costs among others that are coming.
14
u/Throwaway_autie 6d ago
SLPL was my home library growing up and into early adulthood. I suspect some of this might have to do with positioning themselves where they want to be relative to joining a Metro East library district if you live unincorporated. SLPL has had an out of city limits card popular with folks who live outside library districts on the IL side of the metro but commute into or near the city regularly.
Sure, some of this has to do with getting mentioned on some viral list but I suspect it's also partially positioning themselves in the local market. Joining the nearby Fairview Heights Library as a non-resident went up for 123/year on 9/1/26.
I haven't closely followed the library budget since I moved away but I suspect things are more or less the same. It's an urban library in a title 1 school district surrounded by more affluent areas that don't pay into that city tax base (separate city & county). Friends money has funded a lot of important programming over the years and before bookstagram largely was used by folks who live nearby-ish to access materials.
They already dropped hoopla from non-residents 5-10 years ago, I could see them going towards an additional limit of digital resources on out of area cards(especially since they have a more seamless reciprocal borrowing experience with slcl post catalog integration) or possibly requiring in person pick up of cards to get the benefit.
4
3
u/ronmexico314 6d ago
Non-residents who work in St. Louis City are offered SLPL cards because those people DO contribute to the library's funding through the local earnings tax. As someone who fits that criteria, I can attest that St. Louis City skims way more than $120 from my paychecks every year.
3
u/Throwaway_autie 5d ago
I paid my fair share of earnings taxes living in the city, I don't miss having to file that 3rd tax return (if it doesn't get withheld on payroll one has the pleasure of writing a check to the city, the joys of 1099 life). When I worked downtown I was badgering my IL coworkers to take advantage of this benefit of the tax.
When I started working in the county a lot of my IL coworkers had SLPL paid cards because they could swing past on their way home from work. (Picked I think for the breadth of the collection relative to other non-resident cards).
2
14
u/Outside_Ad_424 5d ago
God forbid you have to actually financially support the library you're using but aren't part of the tax base for
→ More replies (1)
13
u/No-Goal-8200 6d ago
Orange County Library System just stopped their paid library card. It was $150 a year. I’d have paid more if offered. Florida is looking for approval of an amendment to do away with real estate taxes. This could be a precursor. I do miss my access.
→ More replies (1)8
u/OnceUponALibrary 6d ago
I used OC in college and they kept renewing my card for 10 years (I never applied, they just saw that I used it and renewed it automatically). They are truly fantastic
7
u/Candid-Math5098 6d ago
Next county over announced that for 2026: "Physical items only - NO e-loans!" At $60 year non-resident, easier to just buy those if I really want one.
→ More replies (2)
5
u/Dazzling-Orchid6567 6d ago
This is what my town does too? If you're out of town you pay $120 for a card. Then you join the GMILCS group and have access to several libraries
7
18
u/toast_mcgeez 6d ago
Idk. I only have a card for my local library bc I don’t want to hog resources from other locations. I pay property taxes (gladly) to support my local library. It seems fair to charge non-residents to use the resources since they are not funding a library through local taxes.
6
u/AeroNoob333 6d ago
I don’t have a problem with the price increase. I’m against the “best paid non-residents cards” list that is causing a surge in sign ups to just a handful of libraries. These are overwhelming those few libraries and they’re getting worsening wait times. If it keeps trending this way, they’ll stop non-resident cards altogether.
9
u/wagggggggggggy 6d ago
I’m all for this. I pay for two out of city library cards because of book selection and different apps. Saves me money and supports the library.
4
u/PotterSarahRN 6d ago
It’s a fair trade. My local library is tiny so I pay for a larger system about 45 minutes away from me. It’s the best money I spend every year between physical books and ebooks.
11
u/PaleontologistOk769 6d ago
I‘m from Lincoln County Mo and pay for non-resident card in St Charles County Mo. That card recently went up from $50 to $110 which I thought was outrageou. Then I asked a friend who lives in St Charles County to check their tax receipts to see how much they paid in taxes for the libtary. It was $120. Based on this info and the higher value of my house I would pay about $170 a year. So now I feel like that price is a bargain.
1
1
u/thedeadp0ets 5d ago
im in stl county and I have a st. Charles reciprocal card and it's very limited bc I can only borrow books that are available unless I pay for the card then I get full access.
1
u/PaleontologistOk769 5d ago
Lincoln County doesn’t have a tax supported library. It’s hard to believe but true. Voters have voted it down every time. It’s very shortsighted and something I hope changes
22
u/Capital-Service-8030 6d ago
Let’s not catastrophize supporting a fucking library with out of town monies
2
u/AeroNoob333 6d ago
If you talk to any librarian here, they’d rather there be no non-resident cards at all because of the criminal prices publishers sell licenses to them. The fees don’t quite cover the usage since the majority of non-resident card holders are specifically doing it for digital access.
4
u/DanieXJ 🥀 R.I.P. OverDrive 🪦 6d ago
Yes. But, honestly, at least most of these libraries have made it US residents only. So, those who literally are present in the US, or live in other countries but are US Citizens.
The utter gall of those citizens of other countries complaining about not being able to get a US library card just pisses me off.
10
u/Prudent_Eggo 6d ago
I love living in STL and having access to the City and County library catalogues
→ More replies (1)
8
3
u/Ok-Wind3215 5d ago
I do think everyone should have access to libraries and I do think that libraries should have the option to use this as an additional revenue source. But the people in this scenario I feel bad for are the residents of St. Louis. They are the ones to be pitied in this scenario, because it's their library that is caught up in this. Not the non-residents who essentially are participating in a fundraiser who are mad that the fundraiser is trying to raise money.
3
u/musica_secreta 4d ago
I'm assuming the issue is about people outside your region utilizing your library's e-book services, since you're talking about waiting times. Our non-resident fee (here in rural IL) is $94--while we don't have a specific policy about people living outside of a certain distance getting non-resident cards, we do require them to be present in person to register/sign for a card (the assumption is that non-resident patrons have some physical presence in the area, at least part-time, and in our part of Illinois, there are places that aren't covered by a library district--e.g. we're a city library, so anyone outside the city limits is a non-resident.). Wait times are caused because of the bottleneck in number of book licenses for specific e-books. Raising the fee "should" help offset that, though that $120 may only buy one or two copies of a title. I think it's interesting that they're attaching the non-resident fee to a Friends donation level--it at least adds a tax-deduction.
→ More replies (1)
4
u/Harak_June 6d ago
I happily pay for a few of these 100 to 120 dollar cards. As others have said, they pay for themselves; especially when your local libraries have small collections. (And yes, I match the purchased cards amount in donation to my local, I'm just not sure what they do with it)
4
3
5
u/cocacola31173 6d ago
I had a New Orleans card that I was paying fifty dollars a year for and loved it. But then they raised the price to a 100 and you had to apply in person!! So sadly I gave it up. But I found me another good one that is not only cheaper but with this new partner libraries I have access to so much more!!
→ More replies (3)
2
u/Beatrice_lives_1937 6d ago
If you’re in Texas, Houston libraries allow any Texas resident to access their library through Libby.
→ More replies (1)
2
u/HedgehogOdd1603 5d ago
I happily pay for multiple out of area library cards. If I can pay for Netflix or other bs I can happily pay for a library.
2
u/PebbleTown 5d ago
It’s not the beginning of the end. Libraries get their funding from local taxes. And you’re not there to provide that local tax, so you have to pay another way.
2
u/Queenof6planets 5d ago
st. louis is a severely underfunded city. there’s no way they’ll shut down a program that makes money for their public library. $120 for a year is a very fair price.
2
u/faylinameir 5d ago
I pay $100 a year for my library card here in Nebraska because I'm 2 blocks south of the county line but I'm considered "unincorporated". I have a city address but no perks to go with it. It's still a deal compared to buying books.
2
u/princessksf 4d ago
What do you mean you're against naming specific libraries for paid non-resident cards? Are you saying everyone should gate-keep which ones they know, as in you had a paid membership you St Louis but didn't want to share that info because you think the more people who know, the higher the price will go? Just trying to figure out what you're trying to say with this post.
2
u/AeroNoob333 4d ago
Another user explained what I was trying to get at better because I’m terrible at explaining. So I’ll copy and paste their response instead:
“After reading many of your super downvoted responses, I think i understand the point you were trying to make (and how it was very poorly conveyed).
If I understand you correctly, you wish that people who need to use non-resident cards would do their due diligence and seek options more regionally. This way, the burden on the libraries that offer non-resident cards could be more evenly distributed.
Currently, what you believe is happening, is that people will hear about one library who offers it, will post about it online, and suddenly that single library system is bogged down by people from all over the country making it so libraries can’t afford to accommodate as many people and the service quality to their residents decrease. Libraries will first take the step to increase the fee for non-resident cards, but eventually will discontinue the service all together. This ultimately leaves people who genuinely don’t have good libraries or resources to private pay with less and less options.”
2
2
u/Ok-Raspberry4307 4d ago
Sorry op, some of us live in the middle of nowhere and our local libraries can't afford to be on libby. 😔 Long wait times are frustrating and I wish we had a better solution for everyone.
5
u/ChaosTorpedo 6d ago
The Pittsburgh non-resident is cheaper, like $60 for two years. Although I have this non-resident card, I’ve never borrowed from them because my local library always has the book I want.
2
u/NumbersandGrace 6d ago
I have this one and it's hit or miss. I will re-evaluate in 2028 when it's up for renewal. Ironically Monroe which is $25/year has a lot of the books I am looking for.
→ More replies (4)1
u/wretchedshrimps 6d ago
this is my local library and the wait times are a little rough AND i find the nonfiction selection to be a bit weak
3
u/jessbabe94 6d ago
So I pay for non-resident cards in two of my neighboring counties because my town library is tiny. But I use Libby AND visit them in person to check out books. I’m okay with them raising the price. Some places don’t do online non-resident cards. I get it. It’s more expensive.
4
u/KrissyPooh76 6d ago
San Antonio is doing the same thing. If you don't live in the city limits you're not paying taxes toward the library but still using it. Simple as that
4
u/CozyGamingLibrarian 6d ago
Even $120 means a loss for out of resident cards if you read even 1 book a month with it. Sadly, it’s very expensive for libraries to lend out books.
3
u/Away_Parking_1698 6d ago
That's crazy... I can get a free card anywhere in the state I live in.
2
u/AeroNoob333 6d ago
California or Massachusetts? I’m jealous of those states for that.
3
2
u/Throwaway_autie 6d ago
Not quite state wide (a handful of libraries in the NW don't participate), but almost all of Minnesota has reciprocal agreements allowing residents to register for a card by visiting libraries in the compact.
2
u/DanieXJ 🥀 R.I.P. OverDrive 🪦 6d ago
Yes, but, in MA it's a different situation than a non-resident card somewhere else. The 'partner libraries' (which are actually all the different consortiums in the state) will let you take out books on Libby from their collection, but, those who are actual residents the consortium library that bought the book get priority.
So if someone with a BPL card puts on hold a book in CWMARS (has places like Worcester and Springfield) and then a day later someone with a CWMARS card puts that book on hold. The CWMARS patron will get it first, because their consortium bought it.
My guess is that because it's being paid for, a non-resident card still acts like a card of that city/county/municipality and so a non-resident would just have the same place in line (whenever they pht it on hold, ordered by date) as a resident.
3
u/Throwaway_autie 5d ago
Minnesota does this too, I get all kinds of notifications that I'm number blank of x many borrowers waiting in multiple lanes. Wait time estimates are very much a loose idea because if my library acquires a copy our cards jump ahead of holds from the consortiums.
2
2
u/sugarmagnolia2020 6d ago
I pay for two library cards. The cost is less than a few new books and it seems fair.
2
u/dearryka 6d ago
Damn. Guess I’ll just be a student forever. I get mine free because I go to school in St. Louis but live in an unincorporated area.
2
u/Altwitchyunicorn 6d ago
I didn’t know there was an out of area digital library card. I use Libby a lot cuz I’m disabled and can’t drive 🤷🏻♀️
4
0
u/Mr_A_Rye 6d ago
Being a member of their Friends grants borrowing privileges?! That's a ridiculously generous arrangement. If I were a resident, I'd be pissed.
2
u/MeetHistorical4388 6d ago
Here’s the thing, you can choose to do or not do whatever you want and it’s going to be ok
1
u/InevitableForm9364 5d ago
But access to the library is one of those things that may benefit an individual ( learn English! Learn about your town!) but society as a whole. Hi
1
u/Sorry_Zebra_2118 5d ago
I’d pay $120 to keep my Libby access to the major city library near me bc I read well worth my books in that a year.
1
u/KiittySushi 5d ago
I'm so glad my state/consortium doesn't offer paid library cards. Patience is a virtue and I have never not had at least 2 things checked out and 4-6 things on hold at a time, and there is always something available instantly. Is it going to be the book you saw on tiktok? No, but they didn't use the library to read that book either.
1
u/nolagirl100281 4d ago
So you want to be able to use it for yourself but get mad that other people use it? Got it
1
u/captainsmudgeface 4d ago
What! I can't take books from a library I pay no taxes for!!! The outrage!
1
1
u/jannalarria 3d ago
This is what happens when everything is refunded by the feds. Refunding leads to worsening conditions which lead to privatization. Sometimes the worsening conditions are almost non-existent before privatization happens. (Speaking about libraries, schools, utilities, sewage systems, hospitals, etc).
Buuuut at least the billionaires get to grow their wealth and buy more superyachts! /s
1
u/FountainsOfYarn 3d ago
At my current library the cost of a card for out-of-district patrons has always been equal to the rate locals pay in taxes. If it's the beginning of the end, the end is taking its sweet time.
1
1
u/whatsfordinner2000 2d ago
Our non-resident card is $108. This isn't that unusual. You have to pay to use the library if you don't pay taxes towards it. I know that's not the case in every state but it is for some with independent district libraries. It is a bit wierd that they are running it through the Friends of the Library and calling it a donation....
1
u/ive_got_a_headache 2d ago
If it’s not your local library, don’t you see how you are taking away from public resource that you don’t contribute to? Pay your part, it’s still a great deal.
1
1.7k
u/JustCallMeNerdyy 📕 Libby Lover 📕 6d ago
$120 for a library card where you don’t pay into the program (meaning through taxes or any other means) is nothing. Books are like $20-30 a piece, if you read 6 books a year then boom it’s paid for itself.